Memorial Day services planned at local cemeteries

Memorial Day services to honor local veterans have been scheduled for Monday, May 28. According to organizer Rich Fink, the services honoring men and women who served in the military will begin at 8 a.m. at the Byron cemetery, continue at 9 a.m. at the Cowley cemetery, followed by a service starting at 10 a.m. at the Lovell cemetery.

Each event will begin with a ceremonial march in honor of the veterans who served their country and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice of dying for their country. Music teacher Chauna Bischoff and a group of students from the Lovell Elementary School will perform patriotic music during the ceremony. The local color guard will carry the flags at the event.

Speaker Jerry Ewen, an army veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart, will speak at each location. Ewen was born in Greybull and grew up on a ranch in Shell. He joined the Army in March of 1967 and graduated from Army Helicopter flight school one year later. He served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam for one year and flew field medical evacuation missions. He completed 1,121 combat missions flying a UH-1H “Huey” helicopter. In addition to receiving the purple heart after being wounded on his last mission before returning home, Ewen received 21 awards of the air medals and an Army commendation medal. He served as an Army helicopter instructor pilot before his discharge in 1970.

Ewen is a published author and avid supporter of veterans. Ewen said that he is proud to be an American and proud to have served his country and his “brothers” in Vietnam.

Each event will be followed by a trumpeter’s rendition of “taps.” The public is encouraged to attend the ceremonies at all three locations.